Bold Films Locks Up Output Deals for the U.K., Canada

The production company aligns with Icon Film Distribution in the U.K. and Ireland and with Elevation Pictures in Canada.

Bold Films has inked multiyear output deals in the U.K. and Ireland with Icon Film Distribution and in Canada with Elevation Pictures.

The move builds upon relationships already in place between Bold and the two distributors. Icon released Bold’s crime drama Drive starring Ryan Gosling in the U.K. in 2011, and Elevation brought the production company’s crime thriller Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal to Canadian theaters in 2014. Sierra/Affinity, the exclusive sales agent for Bold, brokered the output deals, as it had done for Drive and Nightcrawler.

"Placing our thriving slate for theatrical distribution in two key foreign territories constitutes a major strategic advance for Bold,” CEO Gary Michael Walters said Thursday in a statement. “We accelerate our ability to mount productions, deepen our market penetration and increase our ability to shape our overseas releases. Bold's strong track record of success with Icon and Elevation gives us all a great foundation for future growth."

Added Sierra/Affinity’s Nick Meyer: “We are pleased to be able to strengthen the successful relationship that Bold Films started years ago with Icon and Elevation. These long-term distribution commitments are a testament to the quality and playability that Bold injects into its films and demonstrate that Bold’s notable brand effectively resonates with global audiences.”

Last year, Bold Films produced and financed the best picture Oscar nominee Whiplash and recently boarded Jake Gyllenhaal’s Boston Marathon bombing drama Stronger as a financier. Bold’s most recent film was The Weinstein Co.’s international thriller No Escape, starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan.

The output deals were negotiated by Jonathan Kier, Sierra/Affinity’s president sales and distribution, and Jen Gorton, Sierra/Affinity’s vp international sales. Icon CEO Ian Dawson and Elevation co-president Laurie May negotiated on behalf of their respective companies.